Credit: abc.com Expedition Day 58 The eastern Pacific was churning from 4 tropical depressions heading directly for the Hawaiian islands. The winds aloft forecast models for the Hawaii/California passage did not look favorable for the next three weeks. Credit: abc.com "May" was parked at the vulnerable Hilo International Airport as Hurricane Hector approached the eastern shore of the Big Island of Hawaii. Everyone was scrambling to protect their property and many tourists cut short their vacation and flew back home. I was really worried that my plane would be clobbered by hurricanes Hector and Lane approaching Hilo. No hangers were available on the Big Island, so I decided to relocate "May" to another island. Ed Neffinger put the word out about my dire situation on the Vans Airforce community web site. After chasing a few leads, I was able to secure a hanger at Kahului Airport (PHOG) for three weeks at no charge. The following Kahului pilots helped me find a hanger: Scott (local pilot), Eric, (owner of Maui Plane Rides), and Brad (local bar owner and a RTW enthusiast who offered me his hanger while his plane was being serviced in Oahu). Eric even let me crash on his sofa before my flights to/from California. I was grateful for all of the help I received in Hawaii from the local pilot community. Now that my plane was safe in a hanger, I decided to fly home commercially, rest (by this time in my trip, I was both mentally and physically exhausted) , and prepare for Hawaii to California flight. I did not want to make mistakes due to exhaustion or be in a rush to complete the trip. Returning to Hawaii After A Three Week Break On August 28, I flew commercially back to Maui on Hawaiian Airlines. I picked a window seat to carefully observe the weather between California to Hawaii. In a few days, I would attempt to fly in the opposite direction in my tiny experimental RV airplane. Before re-positioning my aircraft back to Hilo, I added an additional 22 gallon bladder fuel tank and plumbing for extra range. The plane could now fly 2750 nm, sufficient to fly from Hawaii to California with ample reserves. I heard of a recent ferry flight that went down 13 nm short of the islands due to a fuel shortage. They almost made it. I was determined to not make the same mistake. To refresh my instrument skills, I filed IFR for the flight back to Hilo. On final approach to Hilo International, ATC was landing traffic in opposite directions. I faced a Boeing 737 on short final, which felt like an "airplane" version of chicken. The "Do Not Delay" instructions to clear the runway were heeded immediately as I quickly exited the active runway. Who was I to argue? "May" weighs 1% of a loaded 737. Hurricane Hector clobbered Hilo. With extreme winds and 52 inches (132 cm) of rain, creeks overflowed their banks and debris littered the harbor and roads. A summary of the 2018 Hawaii hurricane season "May" parked next to the historic "old" Hilo tower and waiting for a weather window to California. My friendly and helpful ground handler in Hilo, Aircraft Services Hawaii (ASH), is located in the historic "old" airport tower building. ASH provided fuel, prompt handling, taxi service, plentiful snacks, and even assisted me to package and mail home 50 lbs of gear/parts not needed for the Hawaii - California flight. They definitely went out of their way to provide excellent service. "Blue Hawaiian" helicopters offers a new volcano tour over the Big Island. The helicopter ride was a joyful distraction from my mounting concerns about the upcoming flight to California. Banyan Drive, known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame", is lined with trees planted by celebrities and adventurers, including pilot Amelia Earhart. Historic photos of aviation in Hawaii. Credit: Hawaii Aviation - Hawaii.gov, TripAdvisor A lazy Sunday afternoon with friends. Diving tower on Mokuola island, Hilo A river of magma flowing through someone's backyard. Vacationland, Hawaii. A dramatic low-level flight along the Hilo coastline with "Blue Hawaiian" helicopters. This is the closest I will get to an "Island Hopper" experience, although not in a doors off Hughes 500D. Crossing the turbulent strait between the Big Island and Maui. From 7,000 ft AGL, the water looks rough below.
On my return flight from Maui to Hilo, I rocked my wings as I flew past Kipahulu, the final resting place of Charles Lindbergh. Perhaps "Lucky Lindy" would approve of my flight around the world.
Brian Eisner
8/20/2018 04:00:10 am
Good luck John. Let us know when you are leaving.
Pilotjohns
8/21/2018 07:10:28 pm
Have been following your trip closely. Looks like the weather Goods are cooperating this Hurrican season. Good luck.
Pilotjohns
8/21/2018 07:17:41 pm
Oops, didnt see Hurrican Lane. Good luck.
Steve Melton
8/31/2018 01:13:17 am
It has to be dark out there. About 2 hrs to go. You have better speed than when you started this leg. Bring it home!
Brian Eisner
8/31/2018 04:36:29 am
Congratulations John on your long flight from Hawaii.
Tom Hammitt
8/31/2018 05:09:36 am
Congratulations, John, and welcome home from your fantastic journey. Tracking your progress was amazing, thank you for sharing your flight with the world!
Pat Clar
9/1/2018 09:25:10 am
WOW! What an adventure...CONGRATS!!!
Ted Pugh
9/6/2018 08:11:06 am
John, my hearty congrats for accomplishing your solo mission of self-reliance, willpower, skill and trust in one’s instincts. Many of us pilots and non-pilots alike dream of undertaking such as adventure. Comments are closed.
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